Singles and B sides

Last updated
Singles and B Sides
Skyhooks Singles and B sides.jpg
Compilation album by
Released1994
Genre Pop rock, glam rock
Label Mushroom Records
Skyhooks chronology
The Latest and Greatest
(1990)
Singles and B Sides
(1994)
The Lost Album
(1999)

Singles and B Sides is a compilation album released in 1994 by Australian band Skyhooks.

A compilation album comprises tracks, which may be previously released or unreleased, usually from several separate recordings by either one or several performers. If by one artist, then generally the tracks were not originally intended for release together as a single work, but may be collected together as a greatest hits album or box set. If from several performers, there may be a theme, topic, time period, or genre which links the tracks, or they may have been intended for release as a single work—such as a tribute album. When the tracks are by the same recording artist, the album may be referred to as a retrospective album or an anthology.

Skyhooks were an Australian rock band formed in Melbourne in March 1973 by mainstays Greg Macainsh on bass guitar and backing vocals, and Imants "Freddie" Strauks on drums. They were soon joined by Bob "Bongo" Starkie on guitar and backing vocals, and Red Symons on guitar, vocals and keyboards; Graeme "Shirley" Strachan became lead vocalist in March 1974. Described as a glam rock band, because of flamboyant costumes and make-up, Skyhooks addressed teenage issues including buying drugs "Carlton ", suburban sex "Balwyn Calling", the gay scene "Toorak Cowboy" and loss of girlfriends "Somewhere in Sydney" by namechecking Australian locales. According to music historian, Ian McFarlane "[Skyhooks] made an enormous impact on Australian social life".

Contents

Background

Following the release of The Latest and Greatest in 1992, Skyhooks were inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame. [1]

<i>The Latest and Greatest</i> 1990 compilation album by Skyhooks

The Latest and Greatest is a greatest hits compilation album by Australian rock band Skyhooks. It was released by Mushroom Records in November 1990 in Australia and peaked at number 4 on the chart and was certified platinum.

The Sixth Australian Recording Industry Association Music Awards was held on 6 March 1992 at the World Congress Centre in Melbourne. Hosts were international guest, Julian Lennon and local Richard Wilkins, they were assisted by presenters, Spinal Tap, Rod Stewart and Mick Jones to distribute 24 awards. There were live performances and the awards were televised.

ARIA Hall of Fame

Since 1988 the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) has inducted artists into its annual ARIA Hall of Fame. While most have been recognised at the annual ARIA Music Awards, in 2005 ARIA sought to create a separate standalone ceremony ARIA Icons: Hall of Fame event as only one or two acts could be inducted under the old format due to time restrictions. Since 2005 VH1 obtained the rights to broadcast the show live on Foxtel, Austar and Optus networks; and each year five or six acts were inducted into the Hall of Fame with an additional act inducted at the following ARIA Music Awards.

Following the induction, a combined stadium tour and album was proposed with fellow Australian band, Daddy Cool, scheduled for 1994. [2]

Daddy Cool is an Australian rock band formed in Melbourne in 1970 with the original line-up of Wayne Duncan, Ross Hannaford, Ross Wilson and Gary Young. Their debut single "Eagle Rock" was released in May 1971 and stayed at number 1 on the Australian singles chart for ten weeks. Their debut July 1971 LP Daddy Who? Daddy Cool also reached number 1 and became the first Australian album to sell more than 100,000 copies. Their name is thought to have come from the 1957 song "Daddy Cool" by US rock group The Rays. Daddy Cool included their version on Daddy Who? Daddy Cool.

Both bands recorded tracks for the album and the first single released was the double A-side single "Ballad of Oz"/ "Happy Hippy Hut", which peaked at number 35 in Australia. [3] Due to lack of radio interest, the joint album and tour was eventually cancelled and Skyhooks disbanded. [4]

Mushroom Records fulfilled the contract by releasing a compilation album of singles and B-sides.

Track listing

CD version (D80984) [5]
  1. "Jukebox in Siberia"
  2. "Tall Timber"
  3. "Hot Rod James"
  4. "Forging Ahead"
  5. "Let It Rock"
  6. "Broken Gin Bottle Baby"
  7. "Don't Take Your Lurex to the Laundromat"
  8. "Revolution" (US Version)
  9. "Hooked on Hooks"
  10. "You Just Like Me 'Cos I'm Good in Bed" (extended Remix)
  11. "Jukebox in Siberia" (Non Recoupable Mix)
  12. "Women in Uniform" (US Dance Mix)
Digital version [6]
  1. "Hot Rod James" – 4:43
  2. "Broken Gin Bottle" – 4:13
  3. "Don't Take Your Lurex to the Laundromat" – 3:18
  4. "Whatever Happened to the Revolution" – 4:29
  5. "Hooked on Hooks" – 6:18
  6. "You Just Like Me 'Cos I'm Good in Bed" (extended remix) – 5:00
  7. "Jukebox in Siberia" (Non Recoupable Mix) – 6:43
  8. "Women in Uniform" (US Dance Mix) – 6:10

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References

  1. "ARIA Hall of Fame". ARIA. Retrieved 13 February 2016.
  2. Blackman, Guy (2007-02-27). "Who's your daddy?". The Age . Melbourne. Retrieved 2008-05-05.
  3. "Daddy Cool / The Skyhooks - The Ballad of Oz / Happy Hippy Hut". Hung Medien. Retrieved 13 February 2016.
  4. "Skyhooks - A QUICK 'HOOK HISTORY". skyhooks-music.com. Retrieved 10 February 2016.
  5. "Skyhook - Singles and B Sides". Discogs . Retrieved 13 February 2016.
  6. "Skyhooks: Singles and b sides". iTunes Australia. Retrieved 13 February 2016.